Beverage line cleaner



March 18, 1958 R. J. GATZ BEVERAGE LINE CLEANER 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Dec. 50. 1954 INVENTOR. ,FaaEer Jerz BY 6 2 Z A TTaEn/E Y9 rates BEVERAGE LEE CLEANER Robert J. Gatz, Milwaukee, Wis.

Application December 30, 1954, Serial No. 478,539

7 Claims. (Cl. 137-239) This invention relates to improvements in beverage line cleaners.

Beverage line cleaners, of the type exemplified in the United States patents to Davis 2,331,460 and Hedges 2,413,626 for beer line cleaners, utilize a mechanical cleaning unit or squeegee reciprocated through the beverage line under the alternately applied pressure of the pressurized beverage source and city water supply for mechanically cleaning the line. It is the object of the present invention to improve on the devices of the prior art and to provide apparatus in which the squeegee is housed out of the beverage line when not in use, thus to reduce possible contamination of the beverage by the squeegee.

In carrying out my invention, I provide means for establishing differential pressures in the line at opposite sides of the squeegee to force the squeegee to reciprocate in the line. I also provide means to positively force the squeegee out of the line and into a lateral branch thereof at the conclusion of the line cleaning cycle.

The preferred embodiment of the invention incorporates a detergent pot with valve means to selectively couple the pot to the line to entrain detergent in the water used to force the squeegee toward the beverage source. In this manner I attain both a mechanical and a detergent line cleaning action.

In order to force the squeegee out of the beverage line at the end of the cleaning cycle, I provide the detergent pot with an air chamber against which the pressure of the beverage source may force the squeegee into the lateral line. Thereafter, a valve between the lateral line and the detergent pot may be closed to maintain a continuous column of water between the squeegee and the closed valve, thus positively locking the squeegee in lateral position.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a diagrammatic view, partly in perspective and partly in elevation, showing a beer line cleaning system embodying my invention.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged cross sectional view taken through the coupling between the beer faucet, beer line and lateral line.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged cross sectional view taken through the detergent pot and through the control valve which regulates the operation of the system.

Fig. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary cross section taken through the lower end of the tap rod.

The invention will be described in connection with its embodiment in a beer dispensing system, although it is clear that the apparatus of the invention is adapted for use in any dispensing system in which the liquid dispensed is under pressure.

In Fig. l a conventional beer keg 16 is shown provided with a conventional tap rod 11. The tap rod has a screened inlet 12 at its lower end and a connection at 13 to admit gas (usually carbon dioxide) under pressure through gas line 14 to the space in the keg above the level of the beer.

The tap rod is also provided with a valve 15 to which is coupled one end of the beer line 16. The line 16 is conventionally coiled at 17 through a refrigerated cabinet (not shown). The other end of the line 16 is connected to a coupling 19 having a through branch 20 connected to the rearwardly projecting end 9 of beer dispensing unit or faucet 22 Faucet 22 may be mounted in a tap head having a faucet supporting wall 23, as is conventional. Coupling 19 is provided with a lateral branch 24 which 1s connected to lateral line 25 which may be provided with a screen trap 26 against which the mechanical cleanmg unit or squeegee 27 seats when not in use. Beyond the screen 26 lateral line 25' is extended at 28 to a valve connection 29 with a valve manifold 30. The manifold may be provided with additional valve connections 31 and 32 with corresponding lateral lines 33 and 34 eX- tended to corresponding faucets, beer lines and kegs (not shown).

The specific manner in Which the respective lines are connected to the several couplings is not material to the present invention. Coupling 19, for example, may have an externally threaded end 37 to which outwardly flared flange 38 on line 16 is held by the internally threaded nut 39.

Through branch 26 of coupling 19 comprises an internal passage 40 having a screened inlet 43 communicating with passage and with passage 44 in lateral branch 24 of the coupling. Passage -34 is at an obtuse angle to passage 45 whereby to facilitate unimpeded travel of the squeegee 27 from beer line 16 through coupling 19 to the lateral line 25 and against screen 26.

The location of screen 26 is not critical. it could be clamped against the end of lateral branch 24 by nut 46. It is important, however, that the screen 26 be located well out of the path of beer flowing directly from line 16 to faucet 22 through communicating passageways 45, 49. Screen 43, of course, keeps the squeegee from entering passage 4% While subject to modification within the scope of the present invention it is noted that coupling 19 desirably comprises in through branch 2% a removable inner sleeve 21 in which passage 49 and screen 43 are formed. Sleeve 21 has a terminal flange 22 which may seat against a grooved shoulder formed at the outer flanged end 18 of outer sleeve insert 35. Sleeve insert 35 is in turn received in shouldered recess 36 in through branch 2%) to which it may be welded as shown. The inner sleeve 21 is fixed in position, and the coupling 19 clamped to the threaded end 9 of faucet 22 and intervening Washer 41 by threaded nut 42.

Liquid pressure may be supplied to lateral line 28 from city water supply line 47 through a conventional vacuum breaker 48, line 5%, three-way valve 4? and selectively to manifold 3d through line 56 or detergent pot as hereinafter explained. As best shown in Fig. 3, three-Way valve 49 is provided with a cylindrical valve plug 53 having a plug channel 51. With valve plug 53 in its position shown in Fig. 3, line 56 is connected through line 54, detergent pot $5 and line 6% to manifold 39. Valve plug 53 may be rotated to a position to connect line 54 to manifold 3i? through line 56, thus bypassing detergent pot in a third position the valve plug 53 completely closes valve 49.

Line 54 enters detergent pct 55 adjacent the bottom thereof. The detergent pot 55 is provided with an outlet pipe 57 having an elevated intake portion 5%. Detergent crystals 59, or the like, may be deposited Within the pot 55 below the level of the intake of pipe 55. Flow of water into pot 5'5 from pipe 54 will entrain detergent. The detergent water will flow upwardly in the pot into pipe 58 for discharge out line 69 to the manifold 30.

Waste line 63 is connected to manifold 30 through concurrently through faucet 22.

and associated equipment may be periodically flushed, and air pressure relieved in the pot through waste line 63.

In operatiomthe pressure of the gas in .kreg ltl supplies beer through line 16 to faucet 22 until the supply of beer in the keg is exhausted. As soon as the bartender draws gas through faucet 22, he will close faucet 22, o-pe n valve 29 and adjust valve 49 to connect line 5.9 with line 54. The pressure of the city water supply, which exceeds the pressure of the gas in the keg, will then force squeegee 27 through lateral branch 24 of coupling 19 into the beer line 16 and toward the keg. 'As the water flows through the detergent pot 55, detergent is entrained'therein and the beer line 18 is simultaneously mechanically V sc'ouredby'the squeegee and detergently cleaned Ulti mately, squeegee 27 will'enter tap rod 11 to be arrested by the screen 65 at the bottom of the rod. The bartender may now optionally move valve 49 to its closed position and open faucet 22. This relieves the pressure on the column of detergent water in line 16 behind the squeegee. The pressure of the gas in keg will then force the column of Water in line'16 and the squeegee back through line 16, the detergent water being discharged through faucet 22. Screen 43 in coupling 19 will prevent the squeegee from entering passage 40 in coupling 19. In practice it is unnecessary to close valve 49 when faucet 22 is opened to'force the squeegee back through line 16. Water supplied through branchlinelS and water inline 16 under pressure of the gas in keg 19 will discharge When the faucet is closed the direction of travel of the squeegee is reversed. Hence the line may be cleaned simply by alternately opening and closing faucet 22, without further adjustment of valve 49. In normal operation the line should be clean after about two minutes of squeegee reciproca- 1011 therein. V

After the line is cleaned, the line may be flushed or rinsed with clear water. The bartender closes faucet 22 and positions valve 49 torconnect line 50 with line 56. The detergent pot is thus by-passed and clear water will added to the pot.

With the squeegee well out of the direct line of beer flow from passage 45 to passage 40 in coupling 19, all sanitary requirements are satisfied and there is no danger of the squeegee contaminating beer en route to the faucet.

To periodically replenish detergent crystals 59 in pot 55, 1 provide the bell 66 of detergent pot 55 with a removable cover 67 threaded at 68 to the rim of the detergent pot. To replenish detergent crystals it is simply necessary to close valves 29, 31, 32 and 49, open valve 6 3 to relieve air pressure, if any, in the bell 66, and remove cover 67. Detergent crystals may. now be Valve 64 is-closed, cover 67 replaced, and the system is in readiness for renewed operation.

I claim: 9' e l. A liquid line cleaner comprising the combination with a first source of pressure, a dispensing unit, a line between said first source of pressure andsaid dispensing flow from the city water system through valve 29 into branch line 28 and again force squeegee 27 through beer line 16 to the end of tap rod 11. By again manipulating faucet 22, and optionally manipulating valve 49, the squeegee and clear water may be forced back and forth through the line 18.

When the squeegee returns to coupling 19,.either after the wash cycle or the rinse, it may be forced out of the coupling andagainst screen 26 by closing valve 49. With the city water shut ofi, the pressure in branch line 2% equals the pressure of the air trapped in bell 66 of detergent pot 55. This pressure is less than the pressure of the gas in keg 19. Accordingly, the pressure in line 16 behind the squeegee will force it through lateral branch 24 of coupling 19 and against screen 26, the water in branch line 28 thus displaced rising in the pot 55. 7

If valve 29 is now closed, there is a continuous column of water trapped between valve 29 and the squeegee27 which will lock the squeegee against its seat well out of the path of beer flow in line 16 to faucet 22. As soon as gas from the keg 10 begins to discharge throughj faucet 22, the bartender knows that the line is clean, all water has been blown out of the line and that the squeegee is seated against screen 26. Faucet 22 may thenbe closed, tap rod 11 removed from keg 10, and a full keg substituted. Faucet 22 is then simply opened until beer line 16 is full, whereupon the normal beer dispensing operation may be resumed. e e

From 'the foregoing description, it is clear that air chamber 66 in detergent pot plays an important role in permitting the pressure in line 18 to force the squeegee I V out of coupling 19 and against its 'seat 26;

unit and a reusable mechanical cleaning. elementmov: able in said line, said element substantially-filling the cross section of the line to substantially blockrthe' line if left therein, of a branch'lineintersectingisaid line at a point spaced from said first source of pressure 'but out of the path of liquid flow through said line-:to said dispensing unit, means including a second source of higher pressure connected to said branch line, a valve therefor and control means including said valve for selectively subjecting said mechanical cleaning element to the pressure of said first and second sources of pressure to move the said element back and forth in said line, and branch line pressure release means to admit said mechanical cleaning element under pressure of said first source of pressure into said branch line to dispose it out of said path of liquid flow during normal operationof the dispensing unit. i i

2. The device of claim 1 in which said line comprises a coupling connected to said dispensing unit, said coupling being provided with a lateralbranch comprising said branch line. V l I i 3. The device of claim 2 in which said lateral branch is at an obtuse angle to said line and is inclined toward said first source of pressure. i i

4. The device of claim 2 in which said couplin'g is provided with a screen between said dispensing unit and said lateral branch, said branch line being provided with a screen constituting a trap for said mechanical cleaning element.

5. The device of claim 1 in which said branch line pressure release means comprises a bell having anair chamber, saidvalve comprising means selectively connecting said bell to said branch line. a 1 a f 6. The device of claim 5 in which said bell comprises a detergent pot, said valve further comprisingmeans for passing liquid en route to said branch line and saidline under pressure of said second source of pressure through said pot to entrain detergent therein. 5 i I i 7. The device of claim 6 in which said valve further comprises means for selectively bypassing said pot and directly connecting said branch line to said second source of pressure.

References Cited file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS I a Strunce Sept. 25,1906

Hedges Dec. 31; 1946 

